There’s nothing like a change of season to have us itching to spring clean, revamp and refresh. We’re currently taking inspiration from summery illustrations and prints, creating mood boards that inspire (from the bright and bold, to sorbet hues, and beauty whites and nudes). Which is your favourite?
Natural fibre carpets and rugs from Rebtex.
With over 30 years in the fabric business, Tessa Sonik is the master of not only convincing through design, but also telling stories through fabric. A trendsetter, innovator, and sought-after interiors consultant for both residential and commercial projects, Tessa’s collections are all about heart, and each collection is put together with a real sense of being.
Tessa Sonik
Tessa is a true creative. Growing up in a family immersed in the fashion and textile world has embodied Tessa with a deep sense of not only how to blend the pretty with the functional, but also an intuitive understanding of space and colour, a truly unique ‘eye’.
A collaboration between Casamento and Tessa Sonik Fabrics
“My understanding of fabric has always been far more than just the technical specs, although I do place enormous importance on quality and ensuring a fabric is a match for its environment. I tell stories through fabric, communicating a specific narrative.” Although her collections meet the aesthetic needs of beauty and longevity, more importantly they capture the zeitgeist of the times.
Tessa’s commercial projects match client briefs in terms of specific look, feel and durability.
Her latest collection, UP Japan, perfectly illustrates not only the brand philosophy, but also Tessa’s desire to move into the artisanal space, and the emphasis on and preoccupation with ‘mindfulness’ in society.
Up-Japan represents Tessa’s move into the artisanal space.
“UP is about giving back, it’s about conscience, and it’s about celebrating the flaws synonymous with the human experience,” explains Tessa. The collection represents the imperfection that comes with being human, the soul, and celebrates the work of human hands in its creation. Existing fabrics have been up-cycled, reused, over-dyed and reworked, while staff has been up-skilled to become artisans of dye and handwork.
“Tessa Sonik the brand has always been about creativity and fun, but equally about important stories, consciousness, and sensitivity to the environment and the world,” says Tessa.
Continuum was inspired by the idea of the eternal and regenerating lifecycle of water.
Tessa Sonik’s velvet winter 2018 collection.
Tessa’s modern take on tie-dye.
Tessa Sonik faux leather collection.
Digital marketing: Joburg Capital
With bold colours and dazzling patterns, there’s nothing that says summer and fun more than Mexican design.
What better way to enliven your home than with some Mexican tiles – a new kitchen splashback perhaps?
All tiles from Hadeda.
Images via.
Digital marketing: Joburg Capital
We’re in love with these modern, striking encaustic cement tiles. Can’t you just imagine renovating your bathroom with any of the below? Or a timeless black and white splash back for your kitchen?
All tiles from Hadeda.
Images via.
Digital marekting: Joburg Capital
Tessa Sonik’s latest collection is called ‘UP Japan‘, and is defined by everything ‘up’ – UP-cycle, UP-skill and UP-lift.
The range came about after much contemplation on how to work towards zero waste, and how to create new items from existing items. The brand has always been conscious of environmental issues, both economically and socially, so the question became how to create exceptional quality fabrics that didn’t compromise on current fashion trends.
And so UP Japan was born – a range of exclusive and limited edition print and dyed fabrics that meet the philosophy of UP-cycle, UP-skill and UP-lift.
The intricate printed fabrics are 100% polyester with a velvet feel and have a UV print, meaning that the fabric can be used outdoors. The linens are hand-dyed, giving a natural look with variations in colour and coverage.
You can view the range over here.
All images via.
Digital marekting: Joburg Capital
It might be a few weeks too early to start talking about Spring, but we can’t help ourselves! The days are getting longer, the mornings a little lighter and the first signs of glorious Spring blossoms are on their way.
Not only the time of warmer temperatures, Spring also symbolises rejuvenation and newness, and we love bringing that fresh feeling into our homes. What better time than Spring to reinvent your interiors? And it doesn’t have to cost you a bomb either! There’s nothing like a new coast of paint, a reshuffle of furniture, a new scatter cushion or two, or a stunning new rug to put a spring in your step!
All images via.
Gone are the associations of tie-dye with rainbow hues and hippy connotations. Tessa Sonik has reimagined tie-dye with a sophistication at ease in any modern home.
From tablecloths to scatter cushions we can imagine this fabric everywhere!
Image credits.
Whether it’s a new set of scatter cushions, a reupholstered ottoman or occasional chair, or a new rug, there are ways to refresh your home that will have big impact without breaking the bank.
Our first choice for winter is a splash of velvet. Add velvet scatter cushions to your lounge, reupholster an old ottoman for an entirely new look, or recover dining room chairs for added glam.
We’re 100% convinced that no home is complete without a little animal print. And while we’re not advocates of the safari lodge look (unless it’s actually in a safari lodge), there is nothing more sophisticated that a touch of animal print in the right places.
We’ve put together a handy guide to help when it comes to upholstery. The below guide is meant to be a general guide. Try to choose a shape which is the closest match to your furniture, and add meters as needed. If you are taking on an upholstery project for the first time, we’d advise adding on about 10%.
Some tips:
-Not all furniture fits easily into a general category. Special furniture (ottomans, love seats) require different amounts of fabric than other similar sized furniture.
-Sofas with tall backs and ruffled skirts need an extra 2 to 3 meters of fabric. It is better to buy too much fabric than too little – you can always use the excess fabric to make extra sofa pillows.
-If you are upholstering using fabric with a pattern, you need more because of the repeat.
-Take your needs into account and consider fabric durability, especially if your furniture is in a high traffic zone. Lighter hues and lightly-woven fabrics are suitable for decorative purposes.
-Remember to check shrinkage. If the fabric shrinks – normally natural fibres do shrink – wash the fabric before cutting it.
All images via. Velvet and animal print fabric from Tessa Sonik Fabrics.
When it comes to fashion, or home decor, no look is complete without a little animal print.
Nothing says luxury and opulence like velvet, especially if you’re after a warm and cosy interior during the winter months.
With its unmistakable beauty and lustre, velvet has earned its place as a covetable fabric for use in home spaces. Below we’ve showcased velvet’s appeal and versatility, from romantic pinks, to royal blues and punchy citrus. What colours will you be introducing into your home this winter?
All velvets from Tessa Sonik Fabrics.
